There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on a variety of factors, including the particular catfish species, the stage of your pregnancy, and your own health. However, generally speaking, it is safe to eat catfish while pregnant as long as you follow the safety guidelines outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
First and foremost, always cook catfish thoroughly to ensure that it is safe to eat. Second, be sure to avoid eating raw or undercooked catfish, as these can contain harmful bacteria that can harm your baby. Finally, be sure to consult with your doctor before eating catfish, as there may be other health concerns that you should be aware of.
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- Is Catfish High in Mercury?
- Can I Eat Catfish While Pregnant?
- Is Catfish Safe to Eat While Pregnant? What Are the Advantages?
- Is it safe to eat fried catfish while pregnant?
- Cooking and Eating Catfish While Pregnant
- Does catfish have high mercury?
- How frequently can you consume catfish while pregnant?
- What kinds of fish should pregnant women avoid?
- What kinds of fish are safe to eat while pregnant?
Many pregnant women understand that it's important to eat plenty of lean protein like fish, but they also need to stick to low-mercury options.Catfish is eaten all over the world, so I looked into whether it's safe to eat during pregnancy.
Is Catfish Safe to Eat While Pregnant? Depending on how it's cooked, catfish can be a healthy option in pregnancy. Catfish is generally low in mercury, so it can be eaten a couple of times a week while pregnant.
There are some subtle differences between farmed and wild catfish, as well as the various species found around the world; this article discusses what to look for when ordering, cooking, and eating catfish.
Covered in this Article:
Is Catfish High in Mercury?
There are numerous species of catfish, so knowing which one you're eating is important before determining whether it's low enough in mercury to be safe during pregnancy.
If you're in the United States or some parts of Europe, you're probably going to come across wild or farmed Channel Catfish or Blue Catfish (source:), which are the types covered here and the ones you're most likely to find on your plate or for sale.
Other types of catfish exist, but they are usually given a more specific name, such as Pangasius or basa - which will be discussed separately.
Catfish have a mean mercury concentration of 0.024PPM (parts per million) in FDA tests, indicating that they have low levels of mercury.To put this in context, anything less than 0.1PPM is still considered "low" in mercury (source: FDA).
Furthermore, the Environmental Defense Fund confirms that USA catfish are "low mercury" and have a good eco-rating (source: EDF).
Check the local fish advisories that may be in place in certain rivers or streams if you're eating wild catfish, buying it from a fisherman/woman, or catching it yourself, as water quality issues may affect the fish you eat (source: APA).
Overall, catfish is a good low-mercury option to add to your list of fish you can eat safely while pregnant.
Can I Eat Catfish While Pregnant?
When fully cooked, catfish can be enjoyed in early pregnancy as well as throughout the rest of your trimesters; fish is a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals and should be eaten 2-3 times per week (source: FDA).
When possible, choose a variety of fish, and always stick to lower mercury options (catfish is one of them).
Is Catfish Safe to Eat While Pregnant? What Are the Advantages?
Pregnant women should try to increase their fish intake during pregnancy because it is a nutritious, lean source of protein with many vitamins and minerals (source: APA).
Catfish is lean and low in calories, containing around 150 calories per fillet (one serving) and 26g of protein, which is up to 25% of the recommended daily intake during pregnancy (source: APA).
Catfish is also high in many minerals and vitamins, including thiamin, vitamin B12, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium, as well as some long-chain fatty acids and vitamin D (source: Nutrition Data).
Of course, the healthiness of catfish is dependent on how it is prepared...
Is it safe to eat fried catfish while pregnant?
This is a common question because catfish is very popular at fish fries, and catfish is often breaded and fried or cornmeal coated and fried in restaurants.
Yes, it's delicious, and you can eat it during pregnancy, but try to eat deep-fried, high-fat foods like this in moderation throughout your pregnancy, and opt for healthier options where possible - as discussed below.
If you eat fish with tartar sauce - a popular accompaniment - you'll probably be interested in this tartar sauce in pregnancy guide as well.
Cooking and Eating Catfish While Pregnant
Catfish can withstand strong flavors and spices, as seen in many Southern US dishes, and baking it is far healthier than frying it.Carliss' Spices has one of the best baked catfish recipes:
Of course, instead of fries, you could serve it with a fresh salad, vegetables, or a jacket potato; catfish is also delicious roasted, broiled, or sautéed.
Catfish is frequently used in African cuisine, and the Nigerian dish, Catfish pepper soup, is very tasty, and yes, you can eat spicy food while pregnant (there's a recipe here if you want to try it - you may need to get some of the spices from Amazon or somewhere similar).All of the ingredients in Catfish Pepper Soup are safe to consume during pregnancy.
When cooking and eating catfish, make sure it's fully cooked; pregnant women should avoid eating undercooked or raw fish due to the risk of foodborne illness (source: Mayo Clinic).
If the catfish is fried, it may be difficult to tell if it's done all the way through, so cut the largest piece in half. The flesh should be firm and flaky, not jellyish.When cooking catfish in any other way, make sure it's fully cooked before cutting into it.
There are many articles on this site about other species of fish that can help you vary your diet and choose healthy pregnancy options, such as:
Does catfish have high mercury?
*High levels of mercury have been detected in blackfish (bowfish), catfish, jackfish (chain pickerel), warmouth, and yellow perch caught south and east of Interstate 85.High mercury levels have been found in blackfish (bowfish), catfish, jack fish (chain pickerel), warmouth, and yellow perch caught south and east of Interstate 85.
How frequently can you consume catfish while pregnant?
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that pregnant or breastfeeding women consume 8 to 12 ounces (2 to 3 servings) per week of mercury-free fish, replacing other protein sources such as some meat and poultry.8 to 12 ounces (2 to 3 servings) per week of a variety of fish lower in mercury. Fish should be eaten in place of other protein sources, such as some meat and poultry.
What kinds of fish should pregnant women avoid?
To reduce your mercury exposure, avoid eating shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish, as well as uncooked fish and shellfish.shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish. Skip uncooked fish and shellfish.
What kinds of fish are safe to eat while pregnant?
Fortunately, many popular types of fish in the United States, such as salmon, tuna, and tilapia, have such low mercury levels that they can be consumed a few times per week without endangering an unborn child.